At an age when many might be content to rest on their laurels, Jane Goodall was telling people in April 2024: 'Slow down, Jane, you're 90.'
I have to speed up because I don't know how many years left I have.' This remarkable sentiment captures the essence of a woman who, until her final days, remained driven by an urgent mission to save our planet.
Dame Jane Goodall, the pioneering anthropologist and zoologist who transformed global conservation, died on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at age 91.
She died of natural causes while she was in California as part of a speaking tour, the Jane Goodall Institute announced in a statement. Even in her final weeks, she was doing what she'd done for decades—travelling the world to spread her message of hope and environmental urgency.
'I have to speed up because I don't know how many years left I have'
The secretary who revolutionised science
Jane Goodall had no scientific training, not even a college degree, when, at 23, she saved up money to visit a friend in Kenya.
She was a London secretary and sometimes waitress with a restless spirit and romantic fixation on animals and Africa based mostly on the 'Doctor Dolittle' and 'Tarzan' novels of her childhood.
An invitation to visit a friend's family farm in Kenya in 1956 led to an introduction with the archaeologist Louis Leakey, who hired Goodall as an assistant and secretary. Leakey had long been interested in sending a researcher to study wild chimpanzees in Tanzania, and ultimately assigned Goodall the task in 1960.
Source: @janegoodallinst / Instagram.
What happened next would challenge everything scientists thought they knew about what makes humans unique. Leakey cannily played his trump card: He told them that Goodall had documented the primates making and using tools—blades of grass and twigs lowered into mounds to fish for termites. Previously, only humans were thought to have the capacity to do that.
Breaking barriers and scientific assumptions
Her unconventional approach proved revolutionary. Jane Goodall was among the first researchers to make close observations of chimpanzees as individuals with personalities and quirks, at a time when other scientists were not trained to observe such specific details. Instead of numbering her subjects like specimens, she gave them names like David Greybeard, Fifi, and Flo.
'Her perceptions of the emotions of chimpanzees was pathbreaking,' he said, adding that Goodall was an 'honest chronicler' of the species' behavior — both of the ways they cared for one another and of their fighting and killing. This honesty about both the beautiful and brutal aspects of chimpanzee life helped reshape our understanding of our closest relatives.
Jane Goodall's groundbreaking discoveries
- First to document tool use in chimpanzees, redefining what makes humans unique
- Proved that chimpanzees have individual personalities and complex emotions
- Observed ritualistic behaviours including 'rain dances'
- Documented both nurturing and violent behaviours in chimpanzee communities
- Spent over 60 years studying the same chimpanzee families at Gombe
From research to global activism
Leakey secured a grant from the National Geographic Society for Goodall to continue her work, and in 1962, National Geographic sent filmmaker Baron Hugo van Lawick to Gombe to document Jane's work with the chimpanzees.
The two fell in love, married in 1964 and had a son three years later. Goodall earned her doctorate in ethology—the study of animal behavior—from Cambridge University in 1965, and that same year she and van Lawick established the Gombe Stream Research Center.
But Goodall's impact extended far beyond the forests of Tanzania. She was a tireless advocate for conservation, animal welfare, and youth education through her Roots & Shoots program. Established in 1991 with just 12 Tanzanian students, the program now involves young people in more than 60 countries, including Australia.
Recognition and final honours
Her contributions didn't go unrecognised. Goodall was appointed Dame of the British Empire in 2004, and awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025. She was also named a Messenger of Peace by the United Nations in 2002. Joe Biden awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom just before he left office in January of this year.
The timing of that final honour seems particularly poignant now—recognition from the world's most powerful leader just months before her death, acknowledging a lifetime dedicated to protecting the world's most vulnerable creatures.
Jane Goodall's Major Honours
Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (2004)
UN Messenger of Peace (2002)
Presidential Medal of Freedom (2025)
Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement
Kyoto Prize
French Legion of Honour
Benjamin Franklin Medal
Gandhi-King Award for Nonviolence
A message of hope in troubling times
Even as environmental challenges mounted, Goodall remained resolute in her optimism. 'You must stay optimistic for the future, because if we lose hope and let apathy guide us, then we are a lost cause already,' she told Rolling Stone. 'Wherever I travel, I try to spread a sense of hope. We still have a very limited time to turn this all around, but we must convince the entire globe and, as Dylan Thomas said so eloquently, not allow ourselves to go gentle into that good night.'
During an April 2024 visit to TODAY, Goodall lamented the 'state the world is in,' citing climate change, deforestation, poverty, industrial farming and a loss of biodiversity around the planet as dangers that need attention. Goodall said during her visit that rather than slowing down, she felt she needed to hurry to 'get the message out.'
Source: BBC News / Youtube.
Cultural icon and lasting legacy
Her influence extended well beyond academic circles. Goodall made her mark on pop culture as well ... with Stevie Nicks writing the song 'Jane' about her. Stevie Nicks even wrote a song about Goodall, 'Jane,' featuring the chorus, 'There are angels here, angels/There are angels here on earth, angles/Angels, sent from God/You will never feel, that you have ever done enough/But you have, Jane.'
In memory of Jane's amazing life and contribution to our understanding of the natural world, National Geographic will screen the feature documentary 'Jane' in the U.S. on Sunday October 5 at 8 e/c. This will be followed by 'Jane: The Hope' at 10 e/c. Directed by Brett Morgen with music by composer Philip Glass, the feature documentary 'Jane' uses never before seen footage to tell Goodall's life story.
An inspiration for every generation
Goodall's legacy includes inspiring countless women to pursue careers in science and environmental activism. But perhaps more importantly for those of us who have lived through decades of change, she demonstrated that purpose and impact don't diminish with age—they can intensify.
Did you know?
Did you know?
Jane Goodall was only the eighth person in Cambridge University's history to be admitted for a PhD without a previous degree. She considered this her proudest achievement, even more than her groundbreaking scientific discoveries.
At 91, when many might have retreated to quiet retirement, she was still crisscrossing America, scheduled to speak in Los Angeles on Friday—a speaking engagement she would never make. Her final message remains clear: there's always more work to be done, always more hope to spread, and it's never too late to make a difference.
Goodall 'worked tirelessly for our planet and all its inhabitants, leaving an extraordinary legacy for humanity and nature,' the UN said on X as it mourned her death.
What This Means For You
For those of us fortunate to share this planet during her remarkable lifetime, we've witnessed what one person with passion, persistence, and hope can achieve. The question she leaves us with is simple: what will you do with the time you have left?
What memories do you have of Jane Goodall's work or her influence on your understanding of the natural world? Have you ever been involved in conservation efforts inspired by her example?
Original Article
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...tml?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
Jane Goodall, Iconic Zoologist and Conservationist, Dies at Age 91 From Natural Causes
Cited text: ''Slow down, Jane, you're 90.' I have to speed up because I don't know how many years left I have,' she said.
Excerpt: Jane Goodall was telling people in April 2024: 'Slow down, Jane, you're 90.' I have to speed up because I don't know how many years left I have.'
https://www.today.com/news/jane-goodall-death-rcna235002
Conservationist Jane Goodall Dead at 91 While on U.S. Speaking Tour: Latest Updates—Newsweek
Cited text: Dame Jane Goodall, the pioneering anthropologist and zoologist who transformed global conservation, died on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at age 91.
Excerpt: Dame Jane Goodall, the pioneering anthropologist and zoologist who transformed global conservation, died on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at age 91.
https://www.newsweek.com/jane-godda...institute-chimpanzees-latest-updates-10813647
Jane Goodall, renowned chimpanzee researcher and animal advocate, dies at 91
Cited text: She died of natural causes while she was in California as part of a speaking tour, the Jane Goodall Institute announced in a statement.
Excerpt: She died of natural causes while she was in California as part of a speaking tour, the Jane Goodall Institute announced in a statement.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/obitua...ary-animal-rights-advocate-dies-91-rcna235001
Jane Goodall, primatologist and friend to chimpanzees, dies at 91—The Washington Post
Cited text: (Jean-Marc Bouju/AP) ... Jane Goodall had no scientific training, not even a college degree, when, at 23, she saved up money to visit a friend in Keny...
Excerpt: Jane Goodall had no scientific training, not even a college degree, when, at 23, she saved up money to visit a friend in Kenya.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2025/10/01/jane-goodall-dead/
Jane Goodall, Trailblazing Primatologist and Environmental Activist, Dead at 91
Cited text: · An invitation to visit a friend’s family farm in Kenya in 1956 led to an introduction with the archaeologist Louis Leakey, who hired Goodall as an a...
Excerpt: An invitation to visit a friend's family farm in Kenya in 1956 led to an introduction with the archaeologist Louis Leakey, who hired Goodall as an assistant and secretary.
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/jane-goodall-dead-obituary-1235439125/
Jane Goodall, conservationist and chimpanzee champion, dies at 91 | National Geographic
Cited text: Leakey cannily played his trump card: He told them that Goodall had documented the primates making and using tools—blades of grass and twigs lowered i...
Excerpt: Leakey cannily played his trump card: He told them that Goodall had documented the primates making and using tools—blades of grass and twigs lowered into mounds to fish for termites.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/jane-goodall-death-primatologist-chimpanzee
Jane Goodall, renowned chimpanzee researcher and animal advocate, dies at 91
Cited text: He said Goodall was among the first researchers to make close observations of chimpanzees as individuals with personalities and quirks, at a time when...
Excerpt: Jane Goodall was among the first researchers to make close observations of chimpanzees as individuals with personalities and quirks, at a time when other scientists were not trained to observe such specific details.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/obitua...ary-animal-rights-advocate-dies-91-rcna235001
Jane Goodall, renowned chimpanzee researcher and animal advocate, dies at 91
Cited text: 'Her perceptions of the emotions of chimpanzees was pathbreaking,' he said, adding that Goodall was an 'honest chronicler' of the species' behavior — ...
Excerpt: 'Her perceptions of the emotions of chimpanzees was pathbreaking,' he said, adding that Goodall was an 'honest chronicler' of the species' behavior — both of the ways they cared for one another and of their fighting and killing.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/obitua...ary-animal-rights-advocate-dies-91-rcna235001
Conservationist Jane Goodall, whose work revolutionized the study of primates, has died | CNN
Cited text: Leakey secured a grant from the National Geographic Society for Goodall to continue her work, and in 1962, National Geographic sent filmmaker Baron Hu...
Excerpt: Leakey secured a grant from the National Geographic Society for Goodall to continue her work, and in 1962, National Geographic sent filmmaker Baron Hugo van Lawick to Gombe to document Jane's work with the chimpanzees.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/01/europe/jane-goodall-death-latam-intl
Conservationist Jane Goodall Dead at 91 While on U.S. Speaking Tour: Latest Updates—Newsweek
Cited text: She was a tireless advocate for conservation, animal welfare, and youth education through her Roots & Shoots program.
Excerpt: She was a tireless advocate for conservation, animal welfare, and youth education through her Roots & Shoots program.
https://www.newsweek.com/jane-godda...institute-chimpanzees-latest-updates-10813647
Conservationist Jane Goodall, whose work revolutionized the study of primates, has died | CNN
Cited text: Goodall was appointed Dame of the British Empire in 2004, and awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025. She was also named a Messenger of ...
Excerpt: Goodall was appointed Dame of the British Empire in 2004, and awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/01/europe/jane-goodall-death-latam-intl
Dr. Jane Goodall Dead at 91
Cited text: Joe Biden awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom just before he left office in January of this year.
Excerpt: Joe Biden awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom just before he left office in January of this year.
https://www.tmz.com/2025/10/01/jane-goodall-dead/
Jane Goodall, Trailblazing Primatologist and Environmental Activist, Dead at 91
Cited text: “You must stay optimistic for the future, because if we lose hope and let apathy guide us, then we are a lost cause already,” she told Rolling Stone. ...
Excerpt: 'You must stay optimistic for the future, because if we lose hope and let apathy guide us, then we are a lost cause already,' she told Rolling Stone.
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/jane-goodall-dead-obituary-1235439125/
Jane Goodall, Iconic Zoologist and Conservationist, Dies at Age 91 From Natural Causes
Cited text: During an April 2024 visit to TODAY, Goodall lamented the 'state the world is in,' citing climate change, deforestation, poverty, industrial farming a...
Excerpt: During an April 2024 visit to TODAY, Goodall lamented the 'state the world is in,' citing climate change, deforestation, poverty, industrial farming and a loss of biodiversity around the planet as dangers that need attention.
https://www.today.com/news/jane-goodall-death-rcna235002
Dr. Jane Goodall Dead at 91
Cited text: Goodall made her mark on pop culture as well ... with Stevie Nicks writing the song 'Jane' about her.
Excerpt: Goodall made her mark on pop culture as well ... with Stevie Nicks writing the song 'Jane' about her.
https://www.tmz.com/2025/10/01/jane-goodall-dead/
Jane Goodall, Trailblazing Primatologist and Environmental Activist, Dead at 91
Cited text: Stevie Nicks even wrote a song about Goodall, “Jane,” featuring the chorus, “There are angels here, angels/There are angels here on earth, angles/Ange...
Excerpt: Stevie Nicks even wrote a song about Goodall, 'Jane,' featuring the chorus, 'There are angels here, angels/There are angels here on earth, angles/Angels, sent from God/You will never feel, that you have ever done enough/But you have, Jane.'
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/jane-goodall-dead-obituary-1235439125/
Jane Goodall, conservationist and chimpanzee champion, dies at 91 | National Geographic
Cited text: In memory of Jane’s amazing life and contribution to our understanding of the natural world, National Geographic will screen the feature documentary '...
Excerpt: In memory of Jane's amazing life and contribution to our understanding of the natural world, National Geographic will screen the feature documentary 'Jane' in the U.S. on Sunday October 5 at 8 e/c.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/jane-goodall-death-primatologist-chimpanzee
Conservationist Jane Goodall Dead at 91 While on U.S. Speaking Tour: Latest Updates—Newsweek
Cited text: Goodall’s legacy includes inspiring countless women to pursue careers in science and environmental activism.
Excerpt: Goodall's legacy includes inspiring countless women to pursue careers in science and environmental activism.
https://www.newsweek.com/jane-godda...institute-chimpanzees-latest-updates-10813647
Jane Goodall, legendary chimpanzee researcher, dies at 91
Cited text: A schedule of events shows Goodall was scheduled to speak in Los Angeles on Friday.
Excerpt: scheduled to speak in Los Angeles on Friday
https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-kn...ne-goodall-legendary-chimp-expert-dead-at-91/
Conservationist Jane Goodall, whose work revolutionized the study of primates, has died | CNN
Cited text: Goodall “worked tirelessly for our planet and all its inhabitants, leaving an extraordinary legacy for humanity and nature,” the UN said on X as it mo...
Excerpt: Goodall 'worked tirelessly for our planet and all its inhabitants, leaving an extraordinary legacy for humanity and nature,' the UN said on X as it mourned her death.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/01/europe/jane-goodall-death-latam-intl
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You changed my life as a young girl. The world lost an Angel yesterday
Condolences to her loved ones 
️ to ever shine in the night sky and thankyou.